Why Water Fluoridation Must Be Stopped Isn't tap water great? Yes, but I can NOT drink it. Water is for everyone, fluoridation toxins are not Fluoridation-Free Ottawa - Ottawa Libre de Fluoration

Are we deliberately reducing the intelligence of our children?

WHY WATER FLUORIDATION MUST BE STOPPED

Water fluoridation was introduced in the 40's and 50's of the last century to reduce the incidence of tooth decay. It has been for a long time considered by the scientific community and by the public as being a safe, effective and economical public health measure. Water fluoridation was recommended by World Health Organization and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and was considered as one of the most important health achievements of the 20 th century.

However, especially in the last decade the perception of water fluoridation benefits has been dramatically changed because the studies found that water fluoridation is actually harmful to human health including the intelligence, and to reduce tooth decay fluoriude must be applied topically and not by drinking the fluoridated water.

Only about 1% of fluoridated water is used as drinking water, 99% of fluoridated water goes into the environment. This increases steadily the amount of fluoride in the soil: for example, already in the early 80's it was found that the amount of fluoride in some produce had increased by 800%.

Water fluoridation also represents forced mass medication of an unapproved drug without expressed consent form from each individual and opens the decision makers who are still presently promoting fluoridation to legal litigations.

There is a tremendous overload of information in medical literature. More than two decades ago there were already about twenty thousand different scientific journals published annually related to the medical field, with approximately one thousand new studies daily. This number is steadily increasing. Quite often, new studies contradict the previous studies. It is therefore practically impossible to be aware of all the changes, especially for one who is not a specialist in a particular field. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are still many public health decision makers who are still promoting the harmful outdated public health measures such as water fluoridation.

2009 - Water Fluoridation Revisited

•  Water fluoridation has been discontinued practically in all of Europe due to opposition by citizens and lawsuits.

•  It has also been discontinued in many US cities and recently also in some Canadian cities.

A new human right “The Human Right to a Pollution-Free Environment” was proclaimed by the UN Commission on Human Rights in April 2001.

“Everyone has the right to live and die in a world free from toxic pollution and environmental degradation.”

“ It is time to recognize that those who pollute or destroy the natural e nvironment are notjust committing a crime against nature, but are violating human rights as well.”

2. “ Why I am now officially opposed to adding fluoride to drinking water ” A letter by Head of Preventive Dentistry, University of Toronto , Dr. Hardy Limeback http://www.fluoridealert.org/limeback.htm

After receiving the latest studies, the top Canadian specialist in prevention of dental cavities, Dr. Hardy Limeback, BSc, PhD, DDS, Head of Preventive Dentistry at the University of Toronto, released in April 1989 publicly, a letter in which he apologizes for misleading the dental community and patients in recommending fluoride.

In his letter, Dr. Limeback focuses the attention on the following main points:

Hydrofluorosilicic acid is recovered from the smokestack scrubbers during the production of phosphate fertilizer and sold to most of the major cities in North America, which use this industrial grade source of fluoride to fluoridate drinking water, rather than the more expensive pharmaceutical grade sodium fluoride salt. Fluorosilicates have never been tested for safety in humans. Furthermore, these industrial-grade chemicals are contaminated with trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and radium that accumulate in humans. Increased lead levels have been found in children living in fluoridated communities. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) has been shown to be associated with radium in the drinking water. Long-term ingestion of these harmful elements should be avoided altogether.

Dr. Limeback states that the issue of mass medication of an unapproved drug without the expressed informed consent of each individual must also be addressed. The dose of fluoride cannot be controlled. Fluoride as a drug has contaminated most processed foods and beverages throughout North America. Individuals who are susceptible to fluoride's harmful effects cannot avoid ingesting this drug. This presents a medico-legal and ethical dilemma and sets water fluoridation apart from vaccination as a public health measure where doses and distribution can be controlled. The rights of individuals to enjoy the freedom from involuntary fluoride medication certainly outweigh the right of society to enforce this public health measure, especially when the evidence of benefit is marginal at best.

He also lists the health problems related to water fluoridation:

•  bone fluorosis (joint pains and arthritic symptoms)

•  bone fractures

•  osteosarcoma

•  dental fluorosis* in children

•  impact on biological systems

•  mutagenic and genotoxic impact in individuals exposed to high fluoride concentration

•  impact on pineal gland and thyroid function

•  cancer

* There are now (2009) twenty-three studies linking the reducing of intelligence of children with dental fluorosis .

3. “ Fluoride in Drinking Water: Scientific Review of EPA's Standards ” National Research Council report on the negative impact of water fluoridation on human health , 2006 www.nrc-cnrc.gc.c a

In 2003, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested that the National Research Council review the latest research on fluoride toxicity and assess the adequacy, or lack thereof, of EPA's current safe drinking water standards for fluoride. In response the National Research Council of the National Academies appointed a panel of top experts in this area to review a large body of literature in which fluoride has a statistically significant association with a wide range of adverse effects. The National Research Council's (NRC) completed the 500 page review of fluoride toxicology entitled " Fluoride in Drinking Water: Scientific Review of EPA's Standards ," in 2006. It documents that fluoride exposure may cause a variety of serious health conditions such as

•  arthritic-like conditions

•  birth defects

•  bone fractures

•  osteosarcoma

•  cancer

•  increased risk of thyroid disorders

•  dental fluorosis*

Of the literature reviewed, NRC noted that:

--- In 1991 and 2001, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made a concession that the predominant benefit of fluoride in reducing tooth decay is TOPICAL and NOT SYSTEMIC . It makes no sense to drink it and expose the rest of the body to the long term risks of fluoride ingestion when fluoridated toothpaste is readily available.\-

•  In 2005 , the evidence provided by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that 32% of American children have dental fluorosis * - an abnormal discoloration and mottling of the enamel. This irreversible and sometimes disfiguring condition is caused by the excess of fluoride. Children are now being overdosed with fluoride, even in non-fluoridated areas, from water, swallowed toothpaste, foods and beverages processed with fluoridated water, produce grown where water is fluoridated and other sources. Fluoridated water is the easiest source to eliminate

--- In 2006, after the National Research Council issued its report, the American Dental A ssociation policy changed, recommending avoidance of fluoridated water and that only the following types of water be used for preparing infant formula during the first twelve months of life: "purified, distilled, deionized, demineralised, or produced through reverse osmosis." This new policy, which was implemented to prevent the ingestion of too much fluoride by babies and to lower the risk of dental fluorosis*, clearly excludes the use of fluoridated tap water.

The DirectorT of the Fluoride Action Network, Dr. Paul Connett, Prof. Emer. of chemistry says, "The crucial message of this report is that the highest scientific authority has determined that low levels of fluoride in drinking water may have serious adverse health effects. I do not believe that anyone who reads the NRC report with an open mind can any longer support water fluoridation. There is simply no margin of safety."

•  Fluorides, Fluoridation and the Environment

A Quebec Ministry of Environment study (1979)

Quotes from the 1979 Report prepared for the Quebec Minister of the Environment by the Advisory Committee on the artificial fluoridation of water supplies, entitled " Fluorides,Fluoridation and Environmental Quality "

French version available at http://www.acmqvq.com/afq/audio-video/Livre%20Rouge-leger.pdf

English version available at www.waterloowatch.com

•  "Full-scale retrospective epidemiological studies whose scientific value has been demonstrated before the courts have revealed that there is a marked correlation between increased cancer mortality rates and the artificial fluoridation of public water supplies. " p. 3-4 (Bill 88 - A Quebec Bill to adopt drinking water fluoridation.)

•  "On the other hand, it has not yet been established with any certainty that water with the recommended level of fluoridation is effective in preventing tooth decay." p. 128-129*

•  "We must recognize that in this respect we are witnessing the most extensive toxicological study ever made on the human race, and that this study is being carried out without the consent of the people involved." p. 129

•  "A number of studies, carried out under strict controls, have shown that there has been a substantial increase in fluorides in water, in food and in the atmosphere, and that those exposed as a result absorb a much higher amount daily than the 1 to 2 mg considered safe by the WHO. In the circumstances, the committee is of the opinion that an additional amount of fluorides would be not only useless but dangerous. In other words, we should be more concerned about possible intoxication than with deficiencies of fluorides." p. 138-139

•  "The scientific value of studies on dental caries is being questioned because of the great number of variables , all of which can influence the research results in important ways and which are not controllable." p. 254

•  "Fluorine is highly toxic for the human organism, and there is only a very thin line dividing the acceptable level from the toxic level." p. 254

•  "Recent studies have shown that fluorides have mutagenic properties, and that even a low level of fluorides can cause changes in the genetic material of cells. These data are very significant because mutagenesis is a first evidence of carcinogenesis in the body." p. 255

•  "Extensive retrospective epidemiological studies, embracing large population segments observed over a number of years, have shown significant correlation between the cancer mortality rate and artificial fluoridation f drinking water. The results of these studies are extremely important because they are closely related to the mutagenic properties of fluorides; this has been demonstrated by scientific experiments under the most rigid controls." p. 255

Dr. J. Benoit Bundock, MD, Lawyer

Senior Advisor to the Minister of the Environment Province of Quebec
Deputy Minister for Health Canada
Consultant for the WHO

*It is documented that to prevent tooth decay fluoride must be applied directly onto the teeth.”

•  A steadily increasing overexposure of public to fluoride.

Today, we have a steadily increasing overexposure to fluoride. Only about 1% of fluoridated water goes to tap water for drinking. The rest is released into the environment, leading to steadily increasing accumulation of fluoride in soil. Any produce grown in this soil, as well as to rivers, lakes, etc are affected. Fluoridated water is used for preparing and selling many beverage and food items such as diluting of infant formula, soda, juice, tea, (black tea, instant tea, iced tea, decaffeinated tea), and beer. Additionally, fluoride is found in many items such as toothpaste, mechanically deboned chicken, infant formula, juice, chicken, fish/seafood, teflon pans, fluoridated table salt, anaesthetics (enflurane, isoflurane, sevoflurane), cigarettes, pesticides (cryolite).

Fluoride Pesticides

Additionally, another source of fluoride are fluoride pesticides. Currently the main fluoride pesticide used in the US is cryolite (sodium aluminum fluoride). The EPA currently allows up to 7 ppm of fluoride on over 30 fruits and vegetables treated with cryolite. This 7 ppm fluoride tolerance applies to: apricots, beets, blackberries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, citrus fruits, collards, cranberries, cucumbers, eggplants, grapes, kale, lettuce, melons, nectarines, peaches, peppers, plums, pumpkins, radishes, raspberries, squash, strawberries, tomatoes and turnip.

A 2 ppm standard has also been established for potatoes, which are second to grapes for total cryolite usage.

Head of Preventive Dentistry at the University of Toronto,

Dr. H. Limeback states that fluoridation is no longer effective:

" Fluoride in water has the effect of delaying tooth eruption and, therefore, simply delays dental decay ".

“ There are numerous modern studies to show that there is no longer a difference in dental decay rates between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas " (mainly because of better hygiene and nutrition).

“The crisis of dental decay in the U.S. often mentioned is the result, to a major extent, of sugar abuse, especially soda pop. "

“To prevent tooth decay fluoride must be applied directly onto the teeth.”

Warnings by dental community - Overingestion of fluoride

There is evidence, that considering the many sources of fluoride, that there is overingestion of fluoride: " Fluoride is a persistent bioaccumulator, and is entering into humans, food-and-beverage chains in increasing amounts ". Marier J Rose D. (1977). Environmental Fluoride. National Research Council of Canada . Associate Committee on Scientifice Criteria for Environmental Quality. NRCC No. 16081, 1977

1) Promote breastfeeding

--- Breastfeeding of infants should be encouraged, both for the many documented, general health benefits and the relative protection against ingestion of excessive fluoride from high quantities of intake of fluoridated water used to reconstitute concentrated infant formula early in infancy. ” Levy SL, et al. Sources of fluoride intake in children. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 55: 39-52, 1995

--- " Our results suggest that the fluoride contribution of water used to reconstitute formulas increases risk of fluorosis and could be an area for intervention....Supporting long-term lactation could be and important strategy to decrease fluorosis risk of primary teeth and early developing permanent teeth ." Marshal TA, et al. Associations between intakes of Fluoride from Beverages D uring Infancy and Dental Fluorosis of Primary Teeth. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 23:108-160, 2004

2) Do not use fluoridated water for infant formulas

--- " When infants are formula fed, parents should be advised to reconstitute or dilute infant formula with deionized water (reverse osmosis distilled, or low-fluoride bottled water) in order to reduce the amount of systemically ingested fluoride ." Brothwell D, Limeback H. Breastfeeding is protective against dental fluorosis in a nonfluoridated rural area of Ontario, Canada. Journal of Human Lactation 19:386-90

--- “Based on this review, we conclude that fluoride intakes of infants and children have shown a rather steady increase since 1930, are likely to continue to increase, and will be associated with further increase in the prevalence of enamel fluorosis* unless intervention measures are instituted. "Fomon SJ, Ekstrand J, Ziegler EE. (2000). Fluoride intake and prevalence of dental fluorosis: trends in fluoride intake with special attention to infants. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 60(3):131-9, 2000

--- “ Infant formulas reconstituted with higher fluoride water can provide 100 to 200 times more fluoride than breast milk, or cow's milk. " Levy SM, Guha-Chowdhury N. . Total fluoride intake and implications for dietary fluoride supplementation. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 59: 211-23, 1999

--- “In consideration of the currently understood mechanisms of cariostasis and fluorosis, our efforts should be focused on minimizing levels of ingested fluorides. The control of fluoride levels in infant formulas, the recent reductions in the fluoride supplement schedule, and the calls for lower fluoride pediatric toothpastes are all laudable efforts. We cannot, however, ignore water fluoridation as a major source of ingested fluoride ." Heller KE, et al Dental Caries and Dental Fluorosis at Varying Water Fluoride Concentrations. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 57. 136-143, 1999

3) Reduce ingestion of fluoride from toothpaste

To reduce the risk of fluorosis, it has been suggested that use of higher concentration

of fluoride tooth paste by preschool children be avoided, that only small quantities of paste be used under parental direction and supervision, that further development and testing of lower concentration fluoride dentrifices be encouraged, and that dentrifice tubes dispense smaller quantities so that inappropriate eating of fluoride dentrifice is avoided. Levy SM, Guha-Chowdhury N. Total fluoride intake and implications for dietary fluoride supplementation. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 59: 211-23, 1999

--- " Virtually all authors have noted that some children could ingest more fluoride from dentifrice alone that is recommended as a total daily fluoride ingestion. " Levy SM, Guha-Chowdhury N. Total fluoride intake and implications for dietary fluoride supplementation. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 59: 211-23, 1999

FDA Mandated Warning on Fluoride Toothpaste Labels Sold in U.S.A.

' WARNING: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional help or contact a poison control center immediately."

(There is no warning on labels of fluoridated toothpastes in Canada).

7. Harmful impact of fluoridation on brain

Connection between artificial water fluoridation, fluorosis, learning problems, and possibly Alzheimer's Disease

Reduced intelligence and behavioral problems in children with dental fluorosis

There are now (2009) studies showing the connection between dental fluorosis and reduced intelligence and possibly behavioural problems. The latest study shows that 41% of U.S. children have signs of dental fluorosis.

Possible connection between water fluoridation and Alzheimer's disease

Several studies have been published since 1993, including Phyllis Mullenix's animal experiments the Forsyth Dental Center and more recent studies from China that have found similar central nervous system damage in human beings. Additionally, an EPA study reported that fluoridated water helped to carry aluminum into rats' brains, producing Alzheimer's disease like lesions,

raising the possibility of the connection between water fluoridation and Alzheimer's disease.

8. Water fluoridation – risk of litigation

Those promoting water fluoridation, an outdated and harmful public health measure, still today, may be exposing themselves personally to litigation. They may expose themselves also to class action suit

which is presently being prepared. The consequences may be very serious because forced fluoridation of drinking water equals

•  forcing involuntary mass fluoride medication on the public

•  In his letter, Dr. Hardy Limeback, the top Canadian expert in prevention of cavities raises the issue of fluoridation as a mass medication of an unapproved drug without the expressed informed consent of each individual. " the dose of fluoride cannot be controlled” . " Fluoride as a drug has contaminated most processed foods and beverages throughout North America. Individuals who are susceptible to fluoride's harmful effects cannot avoid ingesting this drug. This presents a medico-legal and ethical dilemma. The rights of individuals to enjoy the freedom from involuntary fluoride medication certainly outweigh the right of society to enforce this public health measure, especially when the evidence of benefit is marginal at best . "

•  there have already been publically released studies on harmfulness of fluoridation

•  in Europe water fluoridation was stopped many years ago because of law suits. There are only two European countries, Ireland and in some small areas of England where they are still using fluoridation;

•  forced water fluoridation is a crime, it violates the new UN human right proclaimed by the UN Human Rights Commission:

" Everyone has the right to live and die in a world free from toxic pollution and environmental degradation."

"It is time to recognize that those who pollute or destroy the natural environment are not just committing a crime against nature, but are violating human rights as well. "

Already in 1994, the World Health Organization in their publication, entitled Fluoride and Oral Health, WHO Technical Report Series 846, warned that "Dental and Public health should be aware of the total fluoride exposure in the population before introducing any additional fluoride programmes for cavities prevention."

Additionally,

•  fluoridation equipments are open to the risk of misuse by terrorists

•  water fluoridation is expensive, paid for by taxpayers

•  water fluoridation has not been any more effective in reducing cavities in children.

With the new scientific documentation on

•  the harmfulness of water fluoridation;

•  risk of litigation because of forcing involuntary mass medication on the public;

•  committing crime against the environment;

•  opening the way to misuse of fluoridation equipment of terrorists, and

•  the potentially large number of people being affected

it is urgent to stop water fluoridation immediately everywhere.

References

P.M. Mullenix, P.K. DenBesten, A. Schunior, and W.J. Kernan, " Neuro-toxicity of Sodium Fluoride in Rats ", Neurotoxicology and Teratology, V ol.2 ( CVol 169-177. ?

JA Varner, K.F. Jensen, W. Horvath, and R.I., Isaacson, " Chronic Administration of Aluminum-Fluoride or Sodium-Fluoride to Rats in Drinking Water: Alterations in Neuronal and Cerebrovascular Integrity ," Brain Research , vol.784 1998), 284-298.

Erickson JD Fluoridation and Down Syndrome. J Dental Res 58a1979;228

Sutton PR. Is the ingestion of fluoride an immunosuppressive practice? Med Hypotheses. 1991 May; 35(1):1-3.

Spittle B. Allergy and hypersensitivity to fluoride . Fluoride 1993 26: 267-273.

JA, Hovarth WJ, Huie CW, Naslund HR, Isaacson RL. Chronic aluminum fluoride administration. I. Behavioural observations . Behav Neural Biol. 1964 May:61(3):233-41

Zhao LB. Liang GH, Zhang DN, Wu XR. Effect of high fluoride water supply on children's intelligence. Fluoride 1996 29:190-192

XS, Zhi JL, RO Effect of fluoride exposure on intelligence in children . Fluoride 1995 28(4): 189-192

Morgan L. Alfred E, Tavares M. Bellinger D, Needleman H. Investigation of the possible associations between fluorosis, fluoride exposure, and childhood behaviour problems . Pediatr Dent. 1998 Jul-Aug:20(4):244-52

Xiang Q, et al., “ Effects of Fluoride in Drinking Water on Children's Intelligence ,” Fluoride, May 2003

Additional references available upon request

Libuse Gilka MD

Contact Person

Physicians and Scientists for a Healthy World

Tel. 613 440 0254

To reduce pollution in the environment, we have to ask ourselves the following four questions:

•  Is this chemical absolutely necessary?

•  If so, is this chemical safe for everyone (the unborn, babies, growing children, those with various health problems), and the environment?

•  Is its production safe?

•  Is its disposal safe?